Estrella’s Story

Estrella de Belén—“Star of Bethlehem”—and her four siblings have been part of the Esperanza de Ana Community since 2016. Estrella was just three years old when we met them. We have watched her grow up and walked with her family through many changes and challenges. Ten years later, we are amazed by God’s faithfulness in holding this sweet family together.

From the time Estrellita was little, people throughout our Community have made room for her—welcoming her, spending time with her, and reminding her through their care that she is precious to God and to us. These photos hold just a few moments from those years together.

Estrella is a shy, quiet girl, and at times we have seen deep sadness in her eyes. She was born with a cleft lip and palate and rejected by her biological mother. She had her first repair surgeries before we met her. Speaking clearly has always been difficult for her. This has affected her confidence, friendships, and schoolwork.

During EA’s annual medical campaign, our faithful doctor partners from North Carolina recommended another surgery to repair Estrella’s palate. With God’s provision and her parents’ remarkable persistence, they secured a place for her in a free surgical campaign at the Children’s Hospital in Lima. When the surgery finally took place earlier this year, it was a huge moment of celebration for all of us.

Estrella’s recovery continues. Dental treatment and speech therapy lie ahead, and improving her speech will take time. She feels encouraged about what is possible. She wants to finish school and pursue a career.

Milagros, who has walked alongside Estrella since fifth grade, knows that recovery involves more than medical care. As Estrella faces the challenges of adolescence, including bullying at school, Milagros offers her a steady place to be heard. When Estrella feels hurt or misunderstood, Milagros gives her time to calm down, then sits beside her and listens.

We have walked with this family for ten years, through struggles that no single surgery can resolve. Today, we celebrate this step with them. We are grateful for her parents’ determination, for the doctors and Community members who have cared for Estrella over the years, and for the hope she carries into her future.